Chucking apparatus

ABSTRACT

A chucking apparatus in which a plurality of pawl bodies are provided in a radial direction of a hub body of a turntable such that said pawl bodies can move, a center hole of a disk is pressed by said pawl bodies to hold said disks wherein said chucking apparatus comprises a resilient member for biasing said pawl bodies outward of said hub body, each of said pawl bodies includes a pawl portion which comes into contact with said disk, and a pawl-side stopper for limiting outward movement of the pawl bodies caused by said resilient member, said hub body includes a pawl opening through which said pawl portion can project outward, and a hub-side stopper which abuts against said pawl-side stopper, and a coil spring is used as said resilient member, and an outer end of said coil spring is provided at a location lower than an inner end of said coil spring.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a chucking apparatus suitable for adisk apparatus which records or replays into or from a disk-likerecording medium such as a CD and a DVD, and more particularly, to aso-called slot-in type disk apparatus capable of directly inserting ordischarging a disk from or to outside.

BACKGROUND TECHNIQUE

A loading method is widely employed in conventional disk apparatuses. Inthis method, a disk is placed on a tray or a turntable, and the tray orthe turntable is loaded into an apparatus body.

According to such a loading method, however, since the tray or theturntable is required, there is a limit for thinning the disk apparatusbody.

As a slot-in type disk apparatus, there is proposed a method which aconveying roller is abutted against a disk surface to pull the disk in(e.g., a patent document 1).

(Patent document 1)

Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. H7-220353

According to the slot-in type as proposed in the patent document 1,however, since a conveying roller which is longer than a diameter of thedisk is used, the width of the apparatus must be increased, and thethickness of the apparatus is also increased due to this conveyingroller.

Therefore, according to such a slot-in type disk apparatus, it isdifficult to reduce the thickness and size of the disk apparatus body.

Hence, it is an object of the present invention to provide a chuckingapparatus which can be reduced in thickness and size.

Especially, for reducing the height space above the turn table requiredfor inserting a disk in a standby state where no disk is inserted intothe disk apparatus, it is another object of the invention to provide achucking apparatus which can be reduced in thickness.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the present invention provides a chucking apparatus inwhich a plurality of pawl bodies are provided in a radial direction of ahub body of a turntable such that the pawl bodies can move, a centerhole of a disk is pressed by the pawl bodies to hold the disk, whereinthe chucking apparatus comprises a resilient member for biasing the pawlbodies outward of the hub body, each of the pawl bodies includes a pawlportion which comes into contact with the disk, and a pawl-side stopperfor limiting outward movement of the pawl bodies caused by the resilientmember, the hub body includes a pawl opening through which the pawlportion can project outward, and a hub-side stopper which abuts againstthe pawl-side stopper, and a coil spring is used as the resilientmember, and an outer end of the coil spring is provided at a locationlower than an inner end of the coil spring.

With this aspect, the coil spring can be biased such that the tip end ofthe pawl portion is oriented downward. A position of the pawl portion inthe standby state where no disk is held by the pawl portion can be lowerthan a position of the pawl portion in a recording/replaying state wherethe disk is held by the pawl portion. Therefore, according to thisaspect, a height space above a turntable into which a disk is insertedin the standby state where no disk is inserted into the disk apparatuscan be reduced and thus, the disk apparatus can be reduced in thickness.

According to a second aspect of the invention, in the chucking apparatusof the first aspect, the coil spring is used as the resilient member,the pawl body includes a rear end surface against which the outer end ofthe coil spring abuts, the rear end surface includes a first surfaceagainst which the upper portion of the coil spring abuts and a secondsurface against which a lower portion of the coil spring abuts, and anangel between the first surface and the second surface is changed suchthat a boundary portion between the first surface and the second surfacebecomes a convex portion.

With this aspect, even when the tip end of the pawl portion is locatedat a low location and the pawl portion is inclined, the bending of thecoil spring can be eliminated and a stable resilient force can beprovided.

According to a third aspect of the invention, in the chucking apparatusof the first aspect, the coil spring is used as the resilient member,the pawl body includes a rear end surface against which the outer end ofthe coil spring abuts, the rear end surface includes a first surfaceagainst which the upper portion of the coil spring abuts and a secondsurface against which a lower portion of the coil spring abuts, and thefirst surface and the second surface are substantially in parallel toeach other and they have steps.

With this aspect, even when the tip end of the pawl portion is locatedat a low location and the pawl portion is inclined, the bending of thecoil spring can be eliminated and a stable resilient force can beprovided.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in the chucking apparatusof the first aspect, the coil spring is used as the resilient member,the pawl body includes a rear end surface against which the outer end ofthe coil spring abuts, the rear end surface includes a first surfaceagainst which the upper portion of the coil spring abuts and a secondsurface against which a lower portion of the coil spring abuts, an axialdirection of the coil spring in a state where the coil spring is inabutment against the first surface and an axial direction of the coilspring in a state where the coil spring is in abutment against thesecond surface are different.

With this aspect, even when the tip end of the pawl portion is locatedat a low location and the pawl portion is inclined, the bending of thecoil spring can be eliminated and a stable resilient force can beprovided.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, in the chucking apparatusof the second aspect, in a state where the upper portion of the coilspring is in abutment against an upper portion of the rear end surface,a surface of the upper portion is perpendicular to a center line of thecoil spring.

With this aspect, bending of the coil spring in a state where the pawlbody is most inclined can be eliminated.

A sixth aspect of the invention provides chucking apparatus in which aplurality of pawl bodies are provided in a radial direction of a hubbody of a turntable such that the pawl bodies can move, a center hole ofa disk is pressed by the pawl bodies to hold the disk, wherein thechucking apparatus comprises a resilient member for biasing the pawlbodies outward of the hub body, each of the pawl bodies includes a pawlportion which comes into contact with the disk, and a pawl-side stopperfor limiting outward movement of the pawl bodies caused by the resilientmember, the hub body includes a pawl opening through which the pawlportion can project outward, and a hub-side stopper which abuts againstthe pawl-side stopper, and a receiving surface of a lower part withwhich a lower end surface of the pawl body comes into contact is formedsuch that a height thereof at which the lower end surface comes intocontact is lower than a height on an inner end side of the coil spring.

With this aspect, the height of a space in which the pawl is operatedcan be secured, a lower space on the inner end side of the coil springcan be utilized effectively, and if a bearing is disposed for example,the disk apparatus can be reduced in thickness.

A disk apparatus of the seventh aspect of the invention uses thechucking apparatus of one of the first to sixth aspects, the diskapparatus comprises a chassis outer sheath including a base body and alid, a front surface of the chassis outer sheath is formed with a diskinserting opening in which a disk is directly inserted, a traverseprovided on the base body holds a spindle motor and a pickup, an uppersurface of the spindle motor includes the turntable, and the traverse ismoved toward and away from the base body.

With this aspect, the height space above the turntable required forinserting the disk in the standby state where the disk is not insertedinto the disk apparatus can be reduced. Therefore, this disk apparatusis suitable for a so-called slot-in disk apparatus in which the disk candirectly be inserted from outside and can directly be discharged.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an upper surface side of a hub body of achucking apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a lower surface side of the hub body;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the hub body;

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the hub body;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the hub body;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line B-B in FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a lower surface side of a pawl body ofthe chucking apparatus of the embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an upper surface outer side of the pawlbody;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an upper surface inner side of the pawlbody;

FIG. 11 is a side view of the pawl body;

FIG. 12 is a side sectional view of the pawl body;

FIG. 13 is a front view of the pawl body;

FIG. 14 is a rear view of the pawl body;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of an essential portion of the chuckingapparatus showing a standby state or a state immediately after a disk isinserted into a disk apparatus;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view of an essential portion of the chuckingapparatus showing a state where the chucking apparatus is brought upwardby a predetermined distance toward a disk from the state shown in FIG.15;

FIG. 17 is a sectional view of an essential portion of the chuckingapparatus showing a state where a tip end of a pawl portion is insertedinto a center hole of a disk;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view of an essential portion of the chuckingapparatus showing a state where the chucking apparatus is brought upwardby a predetermined distance toward the disk from the state shown in FIG.17;

FIG. 19 is a sectional view of an essential portion of the chuckingapparatus showing a state where a predetermined time is elapsed from thestate shown in FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a sectional view of an essential portion of the chuckingapparatus showing a state where a predetermined time is elapsed from thestate shown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a sectional view of an essential portion of the chuckingapparatus showing a state where a chucking operation of a thin disk iscompleted;

FIG. 22 is a sectional view of an essential portion of the chuckingapparatus showing a state where a chucking operation of a disk having anintermediate thickness is completed;

FIG. 23 is a sectional view of an essential portion of the chuckingapparatus showing a state where a chucking operation of a thick disk iscompleted;

FIG. 24 is a plan view of an essential portion of a base body of thedisk apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 25 is a side sectional view of an essential portion of the diskapparatus;

FIG. 26 is a side view of a sub-slider of the disk apparatus;

FIG. 27 is a plan view of an essential portion of the base body showinga state where a first predetermined time is elapsed after the chuckingoperation of a disk of the disk apparatus according to the embodiment isstarted;

FIG. 28 is a side view of an essential portion in this state;

FIG. 29 is a side view of the sub-slider in this state;

FIG. 30 is a plan view of an essential portion of the base body showinga state where a second predetermined time is elapsed from the stateshown in FIG. 27;

FIG. 31 is a side sectional view of an essential portion of this state;

FIG. 32 is a side view of the sub-slider in this state;

FIG. 33 is a plan view of an essential portion of the base body showinga state where a third predetermined time is elapsed from the state shownin FIG. 30 and a traverse is brought upward to its uppermost position;

FIG. 34 is a side sectional view of an essential portion of this state;

FIG. 35 is a side view of the sub-slider in this state;

FIG. 36 is a plan view of an essential portion of the base body showinga state where a fourth predetermined time is elapsed from the stateshown in FIG. 33 and a disk is recorded or replayed;

FIG. 37 is a side sectional view of an essential portion of this state;and

FIG. 38 is a side view of the sub-slider in this state.

FIG. 39 is a side view of an essential portion showing the pawl bodyaccording to a first embodiment;

FIG. 40 is a side view of an essential portion showing the pawl body ofthe embodiment;

FIG. 41 is a side view of an essential portion showing the pawl bodyaccording to a second embodiment; and

FIG. 42 is a side view of an essential portion showing the pawl body ofthe embodiment.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A chucking apparatus according to an embodiment of the present inventionwill be explained.

First, a hub body constituting the chucking apparatus of the embodimentwill be explained.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an upper surface side of a hub body of achucking apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspectiveview of a lower surface side of the hub body. FIG. 3 is a front view ofthe hub body. FIG. 4 is a rear view of the hub body. FIG. 5 is a sideview of the hub body. FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the lineA-A in FIG. 3. FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line B-B inFIG. 3.

A hub body 150 of a turntable is formed into a dish-like shape andcomprises a disk-like upper surface 151 and a side surface 152 standingon an outer periphery of the upper surface 151. The upper surface 151 isformed at its center with a motor shaft hole 153 into which a rotationshaft of a spindle motor is fitted.

The hub body 150 is radially provided with three pawl openings 154. Eachpawl opening 154 is provided in a range from the outer periphery of theupper surface 151 to the side surface 152. A side surface opening widthof the side surface 152 is larger than an upper surface opening width ofthe outer periphery of the upper surface 151.

The hub body 150 is provided at its back surface with three coilstoppers 155 projecting on an outer periphery of a ring-like rib 153Aforming the motor shaft hole 153. Each coil stopper 155 is radiallyprovided toward the pawl openings 154.

The hub body 150 is provided at its back surface with a plurality ofconnecting ribs 150A which connects the ring-like rib 153A and the sidesurface 152 with each other. The pair of connecting ribs 150A forms apawl accommodation space 150B where a pawl body 170 is disposed suchthat a space including one coil stopper 155 and the pawl opening 154located in the axial direction of this coil stopper 155 is isolated fromother spaces.

Opposed inner peripheral surfaces of the pair of connecting ribs formingthe pawl accommodation space 150B are provided hub-side stoppers 156Aand inner side guide surfaces 156 located on an inner side of thehub-side stopper 156A. Each inner side guide surface 156 comprises aninclined surface which is gradually increased in height toward thecenter of the hub body 150. The inner side guide surface 156 comprisesat least a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface.

Upward receiving surfaces 157 are formed on upper surfaces of both sidesof the pawl opening 154 of the side surface 152. Downward receivingsurfaces 158 are formed on lower surface of both sides of the pawlopening 154 of the upper surface 151.

Next, a pawl body constituting the chucking apparatus of the embodimentwill be explained.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a lower surface side of a pawl body ofthe chucking apparatus of the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a perspective viewof an upper surface outer side of the pawl body. FIG. 10 is aperspective view of an upper surface inner side of the pawl body. FIG.11 is a side view of the pawl body. FIG. 12 is a side sectional view ofthe pawl body. FIG. 13 is a front view of the pawl body. FIG. 14 is arear view of the pawl body.

The pawl body 170 comprises a pawl portion 171 and guide portions 172disposed on both sides of the pawl portion 171.

When the pawl portion 171 is mounted on the hub body 150, the pawlportion 171 comprises a tip end 171A located at an outermost peripheryof the hub body 150, an upper surface 171B which is connected to the tipend 171A and comprises a flat surface, and a disk holding surface 171Cwhich is connected to the tip end 171A downward and which abuts againstthe disk center hole. A tapered surface 171D is provided on an innerside of the upper surface 171B.

A rear end surface 173 against which a coil spring abuts is constitutedon an inner side of the pawl portion 171, and the rear end surface 173includes a coil stopper 175 formed by a projection. A dent 173A isformed around an upper portion of the coil stopper 175 in the rear endsurface 173. An angle of a surface (dent 173A) against which an upperportion of the coil spring abuts and an angle of a surface (rear endsurface 173) against which a lower portion of the coil spring abuts aremade different from each other by providing the dent 173A in the rearend surface 173 at a position where the upper portion of the coil springabuts. It is possible to form on the rear end surface, by the dent 173A,the first surface against which the upper portion of the coil springabuts and the second surface against which the lower portion of the coilspring abuts A convex portion is formed at the boundary portion betweenthe first surface and the second surface by the angle between the firstsurface and the second surface.

In a state where the upper portion of the coil spring abuts against thedent 173A of the rear end surface 173, a surface of the dent 173A isperpendicular to the center line of the coil spring.

A lower end surface 174 of each of the guide portions 172 is formed intoan arc shape. A pawl-side stopper 176 projecting sideway is provided onan inner side of each of the guide portions 172.

The pawl portion 171 is located on the outer side of the guide portion172. The pawl portion 171 is provided at its side with a downward guidesurface 177 located at a position lower than the tip end 171A of thepawl portion 171 and an upward guide surface 178 located at a positionhigher than the disk holding surface 171C. In a state where the pawlbody 170 is mounted on the hub body 150, the downward guide surface 177is disposed at a position opposed to the upward receiving surface 157,and if the pawl body 170 is pressed from above, the downward guidesurface 177 slides along the upward receiving surface 157. In a statewhere the pawl body 170 is mounted on the hub body 150, the upward guidesurface 178 is disposed at a position opposed to the downward receivingsurface 158. An outer end of the upward guide surface 178 is higher thanthe upward guide surface 178. The downward guide surface 177 comprisesat least a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface.

Next, further detailed structure of the chucking apparatus and thechucking operation of the embodiment will be explained with reference toFIGS. 15 to 20.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of an essential portion of the chuckingapparatus showing a standby state or a state immediately after a disk isinserted into a disk apparatus.

The hub body 150 is provided at the center of the upper surface of aspindle motor 31A. The pawl body 170 is disposed between the hub body150 and a rotor-side receiving surface 31B of the spindle motor 31A.

A coil spring 180 is provided as a resilient member between the coilstopper 155 of the hub body 150 and the coil stopper 175 of the pawlbody 170. That is, the pawl body 170 is biased outward of the hub body150 by the coil spring 180. The coil spring 180 is provided such thatthe outer end thereof on the side of the coil stopper 175 is located ata position lower than an inner end of the coil spring 180 on the side ofthe coil stopper 155.

The pawl-side stopper 176 abuts against the hub-side stopper 156A sothat the pawl body 170 does not jump outward. The abutment positionbetween the pawl-side stopper 176 and the hub-side stopper 156A islocated inward of the hub body 150 as compared with the pawl portion 171and lower than the center line of the coil spring 180.

In a state immediately after a disk is inserted into the disk apparatusas shown in FIG. 15, the pawl portion 171 of the pawl body 170 isdisposed at a position lower than the upper surface 151 of the hub body150. The upper portion of the outer end of the coil spring 180 abutsagainst the dent 173A of the rear end surface 173. This situation is thesame even in a standby state where no disk is inserted.

The receiving surface 31B is formed such that a height thereof at whicha lower end surface 174 of the pawl body 170 comes into contact is lowerthan a height on an inner end side of the coil spring 180. If thereceiving surface 31B on the inner end side of the coil spring 180 isset high and a space is formed below the inner end side of the coilspring 180, a bearing for the spindle motor 31A can be disposed in thisspace.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view of an essential portion of the chuckingapparatus showing a state where the chucking apparatus is brought upwardby a predetermined distance toward a disk from the state shown in FIG.15.

The chucking apparatus is brought upward, and the pawl portion 171 ispressed by a disk from the upper surface 171B.

If the pawl portion 171 is pressed from the upper surface 171B in thismanner, the pawl-side stopper 176 slides along the inner side guidesurface 156. That is, the pawl-side stopper 176 slides such that itgradually becomes higher toward the inner side of the hub body 150. Thedownward guide surface 177 slides along the upward receiving surface 157together with the movement of the pawl-side stopper 176. Therefore, thepawl body 170 moves inward of the hub body 150 by the sliding motion ofthe pawl-side stopper 176 and the downward guide surface 177. If thepawl portion 171 is pressed from the upper surface 171B, an upperportion of the outer end of the coil spring 180 is separated from thedent 173A of the rear end surface 173, and a lower portion of the outerend of the coil spring 180 abuts against the rear end surface 173.

FIG. 17 is a sectional view of an essential portion of the chuckingapparatus showing a state where a tip end of a pawl portion is insertedinto a center hole of a disk. FIG. 18 is a sectional view of anessential portion of the chucking apparatus showing a state where thechucking apparatus is brought upward by a predetermined distance towardthe disk from the state shown in FIG. 17. FIG. 19 is a sectional view ofan essential portion of the chucking apparatus showing a state where apredetermined time is elapsed from the state shown in FIG. 18.

FIG. 37 shows a state where the tip end 171A of the pawl portion 171 isinserted into a center hole of a disk. If the chucking apparatus isfurther moved upward toward the disk from the state shown in FIG. 17,the tip end 171A of the pawl portion 171 slides along the innerperipheral surface of the center hole of the disk as shown in FIG. 18.In this embodiment, the chucking apparatus is moved upward toward thedisk by the interaction between the pawl portion 171 and the hub body150 up to the position shown in FIG. 18. In the position shown in FIG.18, i.e., in the upper limit state toward the disk by the interactionbetween the pawl portion 171 and the hub body 150, the downward guidesurface 177 of the pawl portion 171 and the upward receiving surface 157of the hub body 150 come into contact with each other, the lower endsurface 174 of the pawl portion 171 comes into contact with therotor-side receiving surface 31B, and the tip end 171A of the pawlportion 171 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of thecenter hole of the disk. By appropriately setting the relation betweenthe biasing force of the coil spring 180 and the friction resistancebetween a disk and the tip end 171A of the pawl portion 171, the tip end171A of the pawl portion 171 slides on an inner wall surface of thecenter hole of the disk without operating the chucking apparatus fromthe state shown in FIG. 18. By the operation after the position shown inFIG. 18, the downward guide surface 177 of the pawl portion 171separates from the upward receiving surface 157 of the hub body 150. Thetip end 171A of the pawl portion 171 moves upward on the innerperipheral surface of the center hole of the disk little by little whilekeeping a state where the tip end 171A is in contact with the innerperipheral surface of the center hole of the disk. The lower end surface174 of the pawl portion 171 is in contact with the rotor-side receivingsurface 31B and in this state, the contact point between the lower endsurface 174 and the receiving surface 31B moves inward little by little.

The inner side guide surface 156 comprises at least the first inclinedsurface and the second inclined surface as described above. If the pawlportion 171 is pressed by the disk, the first inclined surface is asurface against which the pawl-side stopper 176 abuts when the tip end171A of the pawl portion 171 is inserted into the center hole, or beforethe tip end 171A is inserted into the center hole of the disk. Thesecond inclined surface is a surface against which the pawl-side stopper176 abuts after the tip end 171A of the pawl portion 171 is insertedinto the center hole. An angle formed between the second inclinedsurface and the pressing direction is smaller than an angle formedbetween the first inclined surface and the pressing direction.

The downward guide surface 177 comprises at least the first inclinedsurface and the second inclined surface as described above. The firstinclined surface is a surface against which the upward receiving surface157 abuts when the tip end 171A of the pawl portion 171 is inserted intothe center hole of the disk or before the tip end 171A is inserted intothe center hole of the disk. The second inclined surface is a surfaceagainst which the upward receiving surface 157 abuts after the tip end171A of the pawl portion 171 is inserted into the center hole of thedisk. An angle formed between the second inclined surface and thepressing direction is smaller than an angle formed between the firstinclined surface and the pressing direction. The first inclined surfaceof the downward guide surface 177 comprises an arc surface, and thesecond inclined surface of the downward guide surface 177 comprises aflat surface.

The inner side guide surface 156 and the downward guide surface 177comprise the first inclined surfaces and the second inclined surfaces.With this configuration, the sliding motion between the tip end 171A ofthe pawl portion 171 and the inner wall surface of the center hole ofthe disk can be carried out stably.

FIG. 20 is a sectional view of an essential portion of the chuckingapparatus showing a state where a predetermined time is elapsed from thestate shown in FIG. 19.

FIG. 20 shows a state where the tip end 171A of the pawl portion 171projects beyond the upper surface of the disk, and this means that thechucking operation is completed and this state is a recording orreplaying state.

When the chucking operation is completed, the upper portion of the outerend of the coil spring 180 is in abutment against the dent 173A of therear end surface 173. The pawl portion 171 is located higher than theupper surface 151 of the hub body 150. In the chucking operationcompleted state, the disk holding surface 171C of the pawl portion 171is in contact with an upper end of the center hole of the disk, and thetip end 171A of the pawl portion 171 protrudes closer to the outerperipheral side than the center hole of the disk and jumps upward higherthan the upper surface of the disk. The upward guide surface 178 of thepawl portion 171 comes into contact with the downward receiving surface158 of the hub, and the lower end surface 174 of the pawl portion 171 isin contact with the rotor-side receiving surface 31B.

Next, the chucking operation of disks having different thicknesses willbe explained with reference to FIGS. 21 to 23.

FIG. 21 is a sectional view of an essential portion of the chuckingapparatus showing a state where a chucking operation of a thin disk iscompleted. FIG. 22 is a sectional view of an essential portion of thechucking apparatus showing a state where a chucking operation of a diskhaving an intermediate thickness is completed. FIG. 23 is a sectionalview of an essential portion of the chucking apparatus showing a statewhere a chucking operation of a thick disk is completed.

In a case a disk shown in FIG. 21 is thin, as compared with a case wherea disk shown in FIG. 22 has an intermediate thickness, the pawl body 170moves outward of the hub body 150, and the position of the tip end 171Aof the pawl portion 171 becomes lower. In a case the disk shown in FIG.22 has the intermediate thickness, as compared with a case where a diskshown in FIG. 23 is thick, the pawl body 170 moves outward of the hubbody 150, and the position of the tip end 171A of the pawl portion 171becomes lower. According to this embodiment, the height of the pawl canbe suppressed to a low level even if the moving stroke of the pawl body170 in the radial direction of the hub body 150 is increased incorrespondence with the variation of the disk thickness.

A disk apparatus to which the chucking apparatus of the embodiment isapplied will be explained.

FIG. 24 is a plan view of an essential portion of a base body of thedisk apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 25 is a side sectionalview of an essential portion of the disk apparatus. FIG. 26 is a sideview of a sub-slider of the disk apparatus.

The disk apparatus of this embodiment includes a chassis outer sheathcomprising a base body and a lid. A bezel is mounted on a front surfaceof the chassis outer sheath. The disk apparatus of this embodiment is aslot-in type disk apparatus in which a disk is directly inserted from adisk inserting opening formed in the bezel.

A disk inserting opening 11 into which a disk is directly inserted isformed in a front side of a base body 10. A traverse 30 is disposed inthe base body 10.

The traverse 30 holds the spindle motor 31A, a pickup 32, and drivemeans 33 for moving the pickup 32. A rotation shaft of the spindle motor31A includes the hub body 150 for holding a disk. The spindle motor 31Ais provided on one end of the traverse 30. The pickup 32 is disposed onthe other end of the traverse 30 in a standby state or a chucking state.The pickup 32 can move from one end to the other end of the traverse 30.The drive means 33 includes a drive motor, a pair of rails for allowingthe pickup 32 to slide, and a gear mechanism for transmitting a drivingforce of the drive motor to the pickup 32. The pair of rails aredisposed on the opposite sides of the pickup 32 such that the one endand the other end of the traverse 30 are in contact with each other.

In the traverse 30, the spindle motor 31A is located at a centralportion of the base body 10, a reciprocating range of the pickup 32 islocated closer to the disk inserting opening 11 than the spindle motor31A, and a reciprocating direction of the pickup 32 is different from aninserting direction of the disk. Here, an angle formed between thereciprocating direction of the pickup 32 and the inserting direction ofthe disk is 40 to 45°.

The traverse 30 is supported on the base body 10 by a pair of fixingcams 34A and 34B. It is preferable that the pair of fixing cams 34A and34B are disposed closer to the pickup 32 than the spindle motor 31A andare disposed closer to the disk inserting opening 11 than the standbyposition of the pickup 32. In this embodiment, the fixing cam 34A isprovided at a central portion in the vicinity of an inside of the diskinserting opening 11, and the fixing cam 34B is provided on the one endin the vicinity of the inside of the disk inserting opening 11. Thefixing cams 34A and 34B comprise grooves of predetermined lengthsextending in the inserting direction of the disk. The end of one end ofthe groove close to the disk inserting opening 11 is separated away fromthe base body 10 than the other end thereof by a first Y axis distance.Cam pins 35A and 35B provided on the traverse 30 slide in the grooves ofthe fixing cams 34A and 34B, thereby displacing the traverse 30 in theinserting/discharging direction (X axis direction) of the disk anddisplacing the traverse 30 in a direction (Z axis direction) in whichthe traverse 30 is brought close to and away from the base body 10.

A main slider 40 and a sub-slider 50 which move the traverse 30 will beexplained next.

The main slider 40 and the sub-slider 50 are disposed sideway of thespindle motor 31A. The main slider 40 is disposed in such a directionthat one end thereof is close to a front surface of the base body 10 andthe other end of the main slider 40 is close to a rear surface of thebase body 10. The sub-slider 50 is disposed in such a direction thatintersects with the main slider 40 at right angles.

A cam mechanism for displacing the traverse 30 comprises a slider cammechanism 51 and a vertically moving cam mechanism 52. The cam mechanismis provided on the sub-slider 50. The slider cam mechanism 51 comprisesa groove of a predetermined length extending in a moving direction ofthe sub-slider 50. This groove approaches the disk inserting opening 11(X axis direction) in stages from its one end (closer to the main slider40) toward the other end. The traverse 30 is provided with a slide pin53. The slide pin 53 provided on the traverse 30 slides in the groove ofthe slider cam mechanism 51, thereby displacing the traverse 30 in theinserting/discharging direction (X axis direction) of the disk. Thevertically moving cam mechanism 52 comprises a groove of a predeterminedlength extending in the moving direction of the sub-slider 50. Adistance (Z axis distance) between the groove and the base body 10 isvaried in stages from one end thereof (closer to the main slider 40)toward the other end. The vertically moving pin 54 provided on thetraverse 30 slides in the groove of the vertically moving cam mechanism52, thereby displacing the traverse 30 in a direction (Z axis direction)in which the traverse 30 is brought close to and away from the base body10.

A loading motor (not shown) is disposed on one end of the main slider40. A drive shaft of the loading motor and one end of the main slider 40are connected to each other through a gear mechanism (not shown).

The main slider 40 can slide in a longitudinal direction (X axisdirection) by driving the loading motor. The main slider 40 is connectedto the sub-slider 50 through a cam lever 70.

The cam lever 70 includes a turning fulcrum 71, the cam lever 70 isengaged with a cam groove 41 provided in the main slider 40, and the camlever 70 is engaged with a cam groove provided in the sub-slider 50through a pin 74.

The cam lever 70 moves the sub-slider 50 in association with movement ofthe main slider 40, operates the slider cam mechanism 51 and thevertically moving cam mechanism 52 by the movement of the sub-slider 50,and displaces the traverse 30.

The traverse 30 is further supported on the base body 10 by a pair offixing cams 36A and 36B also. It is preferable that the pair of fixingcams 36A and 36B are disposed between the fixing cams 34A and 34B andthe sub-slider 50, and are disposed at intermediate positions betweenthe fixing cams 34A and 34B and the sub-slider 50 The fixing cams 36Aand 36B comprise grooves of predetermined lengths which are the samestructures as those of the fixing cams 34A and 34B. Cam pins 37A and 37Bprovided on the traverse 30 slide in the fixing cams 36A and 36B,thereby displacing the traverse 30 in the inserting direction of thedisk, and displacing the traverse 30 in a direction in which thetraverse 30 is brought close to and away from the base body 10.

The above explained traverse 30, fixing cams 34A, 34B, 36A, and 36B,main slider 40, sub-slider 50, and loading motor are provided on thebase body 10, and form a disk-inserting space between a lid 130 andthese members.

Next, a guide member for supporting a disk and a lever member foroperating the disk will be explained.

A first disk guide (not shown) of a predetermined length is provided onone end side of the base body 10 in the vicinity of the disk insertingopening 11. The first disk guide has a groove having a U-shaped crosssection as viewed from a disk inserting direction. A disk is supportedby this groove.

A pulling-in lever 80 is provided on the other end side of the base body10 in the vicinity of the disk inserting opening 11. A movable side endof the pulling-in lever 80 includes a second disk guide 81. The seconddisk guide 81 comprises a cylindrical roller, and the second disk guide81 is turnably provided on the movable side end of the pulling-in lever80. A groove is formed in a roller outer periphery of the second diskguide 81, and the disk is supported by this groove.

The pulling-in lever 80 is disposed such that its movable side end isoperated on the side of the disk inserting opening 11 than its fixedside end, and the fixed side end includes a turning fulcrum 82. A thirddisk guide 84 of a predetermined length is provided between the movableside end and the fixed side end of the pulling-in lever 80. Thepulling-in lever 80 includes a pin 85. If the pin 85 slides in a camgroove 42 of the main slider 40, the pulling-in lever 80 is operated.That is, the pulling-in lever 80 is operated such that as the mainslider 40 moves, the second disk guide 81 is brought close to and awayfrom the spindle motor 31A.

The base body 10 is provided with a discharging lever 100. A guide 101is provided on a movable side end of one end of the discharging lever100. The discharging lever 100 is provided at its other end with aturning fulcrum 102. The discharging lever 100 is operated inassociation with motion of the main slider 40 by a pin 103 and a camgroove 43.

A discharging lever 110 is provided on the base body 10 on the sideopposed to the discharging lever 110. A guide 111 is provided on amovable side end of one end of the discharging lever 110. A turningfulcrum 112 is provided on the other end of the discharging lever 110.The discharging lever 110 moves in the same manner as that of thedischarging lever 100.

The base body 10 is provided at its rear side with a fixing pin 120. Thefixing pin 120 limits a position of a disk when the disk is loaded orchucked.

As shown in FIG. 25, the chassis outer sheath comprises the base body 10and a lid 130. The lid 130 is provided at its central portion with anopening 132. The opening 132 is a circular opening having a radiusgreater than a center hole of the disk. Therefore, the opening 132 islarger than the hub body 150 of the spindle motor 31A which is fittedinto the center hole of the disk.

The opening 132 is formed at its outer periphery with a narrowed portion133 projecting toward the base body 10.

A motion mechanism of the traverse 30 will be explained using FIGS. 24to 38.

Positions of the cam mechanism and the pin in FIGS. 24 to 26 show aloading completion state of the disk.

FIG. 27 is a plan view of an essential portion of the base body showinga state where a first predetermined time is elapsed after the chuckingoperation of a disk of the disk apparatus is started. FIG. 28 is a sidesectional view of an essential portion in this state. FIG. 29 is a sideview of the sub-slider in this state.

FIG. 30 is a plan view of an essential portion of the base body showinga state where a second predetermined time is elapsed from the stateshown in FIG. 27. FIG. 31 is a side sectional view of an essentialportion of this state. FIG. 32 is a side view of the sub-slider in thisstate.

FIG. 33 is a plan view of an essential portion of the base body showinga state where a third predetermined time is elapsed from the state shownin FIG. 30 and a traverse is brought upward to its uppermost position.FIG. 34 is a side sectional view of an essential portion of this state.FIG. 35 is a side view of the sub-slider in this state.

FIG. 36 is a plan view of an essential portion of the base body showinga state where a fourth predetermined time is elapsed from the stateshown in FIG. 10 and a disk is recorded or replayed. FIG. 37 is a sidesectional view of an essential portion of this state. FIG. 38 is a sideview of the sub-slider in this state.

In the loading completion state of the disk, as shown in FIGS. 24 to 26,the traverse 30 is disposed at the rearmost position closest to the basebody 10.

That is, in this state, the slide pin 53 is located on one end (close tothe main slider 40) of the slider cam mechanism 51. Therefore, thetraverse 30 is disposed at a position close to the rearmost side. Thecam pins 35A and 35B are located on the other ends of the grooves of thefixing cams 34A and 34B. Therefore, the other end (close to the pickup32) of the traverse 30 is disposed at a position closest to the basebody 10. The vertically moving pin 54 is located at one end (close tothe main slider 40) of the vertically moving cam mechanism 52.Therefore, the one end (close to the spindle motor 31A) of the traverse30 is disposed at a position closest to the base body 10.

The main slider 40 moves toward the disk inserting opening 11 from thestate shown in FIG. 24, and with the movement of the main slider 40, thesub-slider 50 moves toward the main slider 40.

In a state where the chucking motion is carried out for the firstpredetermined time, as shown in FIGS. 27 to 29, the traverse 30 movestoward the disk inserting opening 11 by a first X axis distance, and theother end of the traverse 30 is disposed at a location away from thebase body 10 by a first Y axis distance.

That is, in this state, the slide pin 53 moves the slider cam mechanism51 by the first Y axis distance, and the traverse 30 moves toward thedisk inserting opening 11 by the first X axis distance. Thus, the campins 35A and 35B move toward one ends of the grooves of the fixing cams34A and 34B by the first X axis distance, and the other end (close tothe pickup 32) of the traverse 30 is disposed at a location away fromthe base body 10 by a first Z axis distance. The vertically moving pin54 moves from one end (close to the main slider 40) of the verticallymoving cam mechanism 52 by the first Y axis distance. Since the grooveslocated in the range of the first Y axis distance have the same heights,the one end (close to the spindle motor 31A) of the traverse 30 is heldat a position closest to the base body 10.

If the main slider 40 moves toward the disk inserting opening 11 fromthe state shown in FIG. 27, the sub-slider 50 further moves toward themain slider 40.

In a state where the chucking motion is further carried out for a secondpredetermined time from the state shown in FIG. 27, the other end of thetraverse 30 is disposed at a location away from the base body 10 by asecond Z axis distance (second Z axis distance>first Z axis distance) asshown in FIGS. 30 to 32.

That is, in this state, the slide pin 53 moves the slider cam mechanism51 by the second Y axis distance, but since the groove of the slider cammechanism 51 is provided in parallel to the moving direction (Y axisdirection) of the sub-slider 50 in this moving range, the traverse 30does not move toward the disk inserting opening 11. Therefore, the campins 35A and 35B do not move in the grooves of the fixing cams 34A and34B. The vertically moving pin 54 moves in the groove of the verticallymoving cam mechanism 52 by the second Y axis distance, and moves the oneend (close to the spindle motor 31A) of the traverse 30 from the basebody 10 by the second Z axis distance.

If the main slider 40 moves toward the disk inserting opening 11 fromthe state shown in FIG. 30, the sub-slider 50 further moves toward themain slider 40.

In a state where the chucking motion is further carried out for a thirdpredetermined time from the state shown in FIG. 30, the other end of thetraverse 30 is disposed at a position of a third Z axis distance whichis most separated from the base body 10 as shown in FIGS. 33 to 35.

That is, in this state, the slide pin 53 moves the slider cam mechanism51 by a third Y axis distance, but since the groove of the slider cammechanism 51 is provided in parallel to the moving direction (Y axisdirection) of the sub-slider 50 in this moving range, the traverse 30does not move toward the disk inserting opening 11. Therefore, the campins 35A and 35B do not move in the grooves of the fixing cams 34A and34B. The vertically moving pin 54 moves in the groove of the verticallymoving cam mechanism 52 by the third Y axis distance, and moves the oneend (close to the spindle motor 31A) of the traverse 30 from the basebody 10 by the third Z axis distance (highest position). In this state,the chucking of the disk by the hub body 150 is completed.

If the main slider 40 further moves toward the disk inserting opening 11from the state shown in FIG. 33, the sub-slider 50 further moves towardthe main slider 40.

As shown in FIGS. 36 to 38, the traverse 30 moves toward the diskinserting opening 11, the other end of the traverse 30 moves in adirection approaching the base body 10, and is disposed at a position ofthe first Z axis distance.

That is, in this state, the slide pin 53 moves the slider cam mechanism51 by a fourth Y axis direction, and the traverse 30 moves toward thedisk inserting opening 11 by the second Z axis distance Therefore, thecam pins 35A and 35B move toward the one ends of the grooves of thefixing cams 34A and 34B by the second X axis distance, but the height ofthe other end (close to the pickup 32) of the traverse 30 is not variedThe vertically moving pin 54 moves in the groove of the verticallymoving cam mechanism 52 by the fourth Y axis direction, moves the oneend (close to the spindle motor 31A) of the traverse 30 toward the basebody 10, and disposes the one end at a location of the first Z axisdistance.

Through the above-described motion, the disk is separated from the lid130 and also from the fixing pin 120, and the disk is brought into areplay/recording state.

The loaded disk is discharged by driving the loading motor and movingthe main slider 40 toward its other end, and basically theabove-described motion is carried out reversely.

Next, another embodiment of the pawl body which can be used in thechucking apparatus of the present invention will be explained. The samestructures as those of the above embodiment are designated with the samesymbols, and explanation thereof will be omitted.

FIGS. 39 and 40 are side views of an essential portion showing the pawlbody of the first embodiment.

A rear end surface 173 of the pawl portion 171 includes a first surface173B against which an upper portion of the coil spring 180 abuts and asecond surface 173C against which a lower portion of the coil spring 180abuts. One of the first surface 173B and the second surface 173C maycomprise the rear end surface 173. The first surface 173B and the secondsurface 173C of the embodiment are substantially in parallel to eachother. The first surface 173B and the second surface 173C form a step byrecessing the first surface 173B with respect to the second surface173C. In this embodiment, the second surface 173C is perpendicular to aphantom center axis of the coil spring 180 in a state where the coilspring 180 abuts against the second surface 173C.

FIGS. 41 and 42 are side view of an essential portion showing a pawlbody of a second embodiment.

A rear end surface 173 of the pawl portion 171 includes a first surface173D against which an upper portion of the coil spring 180 abuts and asecond surface 173E against which a lower portion of the coil spring 180abuts. One of the first surface 173D and the second surface 173E maycomprises the rear end surface 173. The first surface 173D and thesecond surface 173E of the embodiment are substantially in parallel toeach other. The first surface 173D and the second surface 173E form astep by recessing the second surface 173E with respect to the firstsurface 173D. The first surface 173D is perpendicular to a phantomcenter axis of the coil spring 180 in a state where the coil spring 180is in abutment against the first surface 173D.

According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce a diskapparatus in thickness and size.

Especially, according to the invention, the disk apparatus can bethinned by reducing the height space above a turntable required forinserting a disk in a standby state where no disk is inserted into thedisk apparatus.

According to the present invention, even when the pawl body is inclined,bending of the convex portion can be eliminated, and stable resilientforce can be provided.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The chucking apparatus of the present invention is useful for a diskapparatus which is incorporated or integrally set in a so-callednotebook personal computer integrally provided with display means, inputmeans, calculating means and the like.

1. A chucking apparatus in which a plurality of pawl bodies are providedin a radial direction of a hub body of a turntable such that said pawlbodies can move, a center hole of a disk is pressed by said pawl bodiesto hold said disk, wherein: said chucking apparatus comprises aresilient member for biasing said pawl bodies outward of said hub body,each of said pawl bodies includes a pawl portion which comes intocontact with said disk, and a pawl-side stopper for limiting outwardmovement of said pawl bodies caused by said resilient member, said hubbody includes a pawl opening through which said pawl portion can projectoutward, and a hub-side stopper which abuts against said pawl-sidestopper, and a coil spring is used as said resilient member, and anouter end of said coil spring is provided at a location lower than aninner end of said coil spring, wherein said pawl body includes a rearend surface against which the outer end of said coil spring abuts, saidrear end surface includes a first surface against which said upperportion of said coil spring abuts and a second surface against which alower portion of said coil spring abuts, and an angel between said firstsurface and said second surface is changed such that a boundary portionbetween said first surface and said second surface becomes a convexportion.
 2. The chucking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in astate where said upper portion of said coil spring is in abutmentagainst an upper portion of said rear end surface, a surface of saidupper portion is perpendicular to a center line of said coil spring. 3.A disk apparatus using the chucking apparatus according to claim 2,wherein said disk apparatus comprises a chassis outer sheath including abase body and a lid, a front surface of said chassis outer sheath isformed with a disk inserting opening in which a disk is directlyinserted, a traverse provided on said base body holds a spindle motorand a pickup, an upper surface of said spindle motor includes saidturntable, and said traverse is moved toward and away from said basebody.
 4. A disk apparatus using the chucking apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein said disk apparatus comprises a chassis outer sheathincluding a base body and a lid, a front surface of said chassis outersheath is formed with a disk inserting opening in which a disk isdirectly inserted, a traverse provided on said base body holds a spindlemotor and a pickup, an upper surface of said spindle motor includes saidturntable, and said traverse is moved toward and away from said basebody.
 5. A chucking apparatus in which a plurality of pawl bodies areprovided in a radial direction of a hub body of a turntable such thatsaid pawl bodies can move, a center hole of a disk is pressed by saidpawl bodies to hold said disk, wherein: said chucking apparatuscomprises a resilient member for biasing said pawl bodies outward ofsaid hub body, each of said pawl bodies includes a pawl portion whichcomes into contact with said disk, and a pawl-side stopper for limitingoutward movement of said pawl bodies caused by said resilient member,said hub body includes a pawl opening through which said pawl portioncan project outward, and a hub-side stopper which abuts against saidpawl-side stopper, and a coil spring is used as said resilient member,and an outer end of said coil spring is provided at a location lowerthan an inner end of said coil spring, wherein said pawl body includes arear end surface against which the outer end of said coil spring abuts,said rear end surface includes a first surface against which said upperportion of said coil spring abuts and a second surface against which alower portion of said coil spring abuts, and said first surface and saidsecond surface are substantially in parallel to each other and they havesteps.
 6. A disk apparatus using the chucking apparatus according toclaim 5, wherein said disk apparatus comprises a chassis outer sheathincluding a base body and a lid, a front surface of said chassis outersheath is formed with a disk inserting opening in which a disk isdirectly inserted, a traverse provided on said base body holds a spindlemotor and a pickup, an upper surface of said spindle motor includes saidturntable, and said traverse is moved toward and away from said basebody.
 7. A chucking apparatus in which a plurality of pawl bodies areprovided in a radial direction of a hub body of a turntable such thatsaid pawl bodies can move, a center hole of a disk is pressed by saidpawl bodies to hold said disk, wherein: said chucking apparatuscomprises a resilient member for biasing said pawl bodies outward ofsaid hub body, each of said pawl bodies includes a pawl portion whichcomes into contact with said disk, and a pawl-side stopper for limitingoutward movement of said pawl bodies caused by said resilient member,said hub body includes a pawl opening through which said pawl portioncan project outward, and a hub-side stopper which abuts against saidpawl-side stopper, and a coil spring is used as said resilient member,and an outer end of said coil spring is provided at a location lowerthan an inner end of said coil spring, wherein said pawl body includes arear end surface against which the outer end of said coil spring abuts,said rear end surface includes a first surface against which said upperportion of said coil spring abuts and a second surface against which alower portion of said coil spring abuts, an axial direction of said coilspring in a state where said coil spring is in abutment against saidfirst surface and an axial direction of said coil spring in a statewhere said coil spring is in abutment against said second surface aredifferent.
 8. A disk apparatus using the chucking apparatus according toclaim 7, wherein said disk apparatus comprises a chassis outer sheathincluding a base body and a lid, a front surface of said chassis outersheath is formed with a disk inserting opening in which a disk isdirectly inserted, a traverse provided on said base body holds a spindlemotor and a pickup, an upper surface of said spindle motor includes saidturntable, and said traverse is moved toward and away from said basebody.